Soften and Open Hypnobirthing A3 Illustrations

Download and printout a handmade handout or A3 poster for hypnobirthing explaining the physiology of softening and opening in early and active labour.

I know that the 'fundus' (top of the womb) as a term isn't usually used about in hypnobirthing - but it's what helped me to understand what was going on with the cervix and contractions. So I like to talk about it!

Before I learnt about 'building the fundus', I felt confused why it was so much work for the body to just 'open a hole'!

Once I learnt that the hole is created by the womb muscles squeezing to draw themselves up, which builds the muscles at the fundus (power to push later!), and it's because the muscles have moved to the top that the 'hole' is created - everything seemed clearer.

And then I understood what surges had to do with cervical dilation and effacement. Which is hugely important, because once we understand the ancient wisdom of our bodies in birth, then it can help make surges less scary and more welcome.

These soften and open digital download hypnobirthing handouts represent some of what is happening in the womb during surges (contractions) and would be a great tool for remembering the hard work your body is doing in labour - and how the sensations in your womb are safe and productive.

A great support alongside hypnobirthing and educating yourself on physiological birth, or for doulas to include in client materials.

"We think in pictures and we should be painting accurate pictures. The cervix nor the vagina bloom. The cervix is not a zip lock bag. The purpose of labor is NOT the creation of an opening or a hole... The purpose of labor contractions and retractions is to BUILD the fundus, which will, when it is ready, EJECT the baby, like a piston. Without a nice thick fundus there is no power to get baby out....the cervix does not dilate out....it dilates UP as a result of the effort to pull muscles up into the uterus to push muscles up to the fundus." - Carla Hartley, midwifery educator

I try to use non-medical language in my pictures where I can. I like to use womb instead of uterus, that kind of thing. I've done a mix here. I decided not to include cm measurements of dilation, because we don't really need to know what measurement dilated we are.

★★★★★ "Another beautifully designed teaching aid for my clients. Love them so much!" - Marina, Etsy

____________________________

Copyright and Limited Use Commercial License

The limited use commercial license that comes with this download means that birth workers, doulas, hypnobirthing teachers, prenatal yoga teachers, antenatal educators and midwives can print to share and use with pregnant women, birth partners and clients. By buying this download you are agreeing to the following terms:

The license means you - as an individual - can:

• Print the downloads on paper or card at the size specified
• Give the printouts as handouts to your clients, or use as teaching tools or posters for your business
• You may use use a professional print service or print at home
• Add the images to a Powerpoint presentation to use with clients in person or remotely, as long as the presentation file itself isn't shared digitally
• Share the content using photos or videos of your printed materials on social media

The license DOES NOT allow you to:

• Print the images for any other reason than above or on any other material e.g. on a notebook or mug to give away
• Use the images as part of a product you will sell
• Share the digital files with anyone by email or another method
• Add the digital files to your website or use on social media
• Edit the images or remove my brand name
• Share with other professionals in your organisation

Thank you for respecting the time that has gone into creating this artwork. If you have any questions about the license agreement, please contact me.

Copyright

These handmade images, text and files are copyright of Hannah Thomas of Womb to World Art and sole copyright is retained by them.

Disclaimer: Please note my images are stylised visual representations, and the information is accurate to the best of my knowledge, but I am not a medical professional and therefore there may be words or parts of the drawings that aren't 100% anatomically and medically accurate. My materials are not intended to replace any medical caregiver advice.